In February I loved this:

Poem:

The Wind on the Downs:

I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead,
You seek adventure some other place.
I hear you laughing as you used to,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go;
How should you leave me, having loved me so?
We walked along the towpath, you and I,
Beside the sluggish-moving, still canal;
It seemed impossible that you should die;
I think of you the same and always shall.
We thought of many things and spoke of few,
And life lay all uncertainly before,
And now I walk alone and think of you,
And wonder what new kingdoms you explore.
Over the railway line, across the grass,
While up above the golden wings are spread,
Flying, ever flying overhead,
Here still I see you khaki figure pass,
And when I leave meadow, almost wait,
That you should open first the wooden gate.

Marien Allen

Painting:

Sidney Liefer - Annie Kevans

2011 . Oil on paper      Fifty One Fine Art Photography

Quote:

Book:

         I loved this book, all the characters, motifs and motivations are described in a way that made me value and understand the complicated cage in which each of them is trapped.
        Tolstoy gives voice to the thoughts of each character in different chapters enriching our reading experience with a deep understanding of the way each one of them understands the world and their particular situation.

         The story takes place in the instable 19th century Russia . The peasants fight for their rights, and high society is a stage where the actors, in this case the Karenin's,  must perform with caution; their being watched by a ferocious audience that won´t forgive any improper behaviour.

         Karenina is married and falls in love with Vronski; the situation becomes impossible to hide while their passion becomes stronger. Karenina is married with her previous husband not by choice while she was still very young, as it was the norm of the time but her husband is a man of duty and responsibilities whom believes in the power of his work and is highly praised by society but unfit to satisfy his wife with his coldness towards excitement and passion.

        The story is tragic; each character is trapped in situations that were not created by their own will (Karenina's marriage for example) and we see them suffering and hurting each other helplessly trying to find fulfilment to their wishes or trying to escape their helpless situations.

        After understanding the  convictions of each one of them, it becomes difficult for the reader, to judge their actions. The author shows us the true dimension of the relationships. Besides the rich dialogues and ideas we get the chance to learn about Russia and travel to another time described with details that enlighten our imagination with meticulous descriptions of the fashion, furniture and landscape of the time. I do hilly recommend this book to everyone!